Medical glove packaging

ABSTRACT

A packaging for a medical glove includes a cover defining an interior space, a sealed end and an opposing end having an opening in communication with the interior space, at least one deployable member with a distal end extending from the cover opening into the interior space, and a proximal end being part of the cover opening, the deployable member segregating the interior space into an inner clean and contaminant free area adjacent to the sealed cover end and an outer area adjacent to the cover opening, the distal end of the deployable member being movable from a first position within the interior space to a second position outside the cover opening, and means for securely retaining the medical glove on the distal end of the at least one deployable member.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present Application claims the benefit of priority from U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/537,442, filed on Sep. 21,2011, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to medical and healthcare devices, andmore particularly to a packaging for a medical glove configured tosubstantially minimize or eliminate inadvertent contamination of themedical glove especially during donning of the packaged medical glove.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Healthcare acquired infections (HAI) are infectious diseases contractedby patients confined in a hospital or other healthcare facility, andacquire a disease that is not associated with their original medicalproblem. These infectious diseases are caused by microbes such as fungi,bacteria, viruses, parasites, spore forms thereof, and the like.Approximately two million people each year become sick in healthcarefacilities from HAI. It is also among the top five leading causes ofdeath in the United States (US). Such infections strike an average of4.5 out of every 100 patients admitted to hospitals, and result in anaverage of 22 additional days of hospitalization. Total costs from HAIare estimated at between US$35 to US$88 billion annually, thusrepresenting an increasing financial burden and declining healthcarequality in the US.

Proper hand hygiene and use of hospital or medical gloves have preventedeven higher incidences of HAI. Such measures, particularly medicalgloves, have helped prevent contamination between caregivers andpatients. They provide a physical barrier for contact between thecaregiver and the patient. However, it is estimated that only 50% ofhealthcare professionals adhere to proper hand hygiene and medical gloveuse. Often, the physical barrier provided by the medical gloves iscompromised when the exterior of the medical gloves (i.e., side thatcontacts the patient) becomes contaminated. Such contamination can occurduring donning of the medical gloves, retrieval of the medical glovesfrom their packaging, or even while in the packaging. Unfortunately,such improper attention to hand hygiene and medical glove use has becomethe most common mode of transmission of infectious diseases to patients.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art to develop a packaging formedical gloves designed to provide innovative layers of protection forminimizing or eliminating risks of contamination of the medical glovesduring donning. There is a need to develop a packaging for medicalgloves that provides enhanced protection for patients from HAI in apractical, efficient and cost effective manner. There is a need todevelop a packaging for medical gloves that enables the user to don themedical gloves on both hands without outside assistance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a packaging for a medicalglove and methods of making and using the same. The packaging of thepresent invention is specifically designed to prevent contamination ofthe exterior portion of the medical glove during donning of the packagedmedical glove. In this manner, the risk of passing any potentialcontaminants to a subject or patient is at least substantially minimizedor eliminated.

The packaging of the present invention is further designed to permit auser to don the medical glove without outside assistance. The packagingof the present invention can be used in any environment or setting wherecontamination by undesirable or potentially dangerous agents must beavoided, especially in hospital or healthcare settings. In the hospitalor healthcare setting, the use of the packaging of the present inventionwill save numbers of lives and substantially reduce costs associatedwith healthcare acquired infections (HAI). The packaging of the presentinvention is relatively simple and cost effective to make and implement.

The packaging of the present invention generally includes a coverdefining an interior space, where the cover further includes a sealedend and an opposing end having an opening in communication with theinterior space, and at least one deployable member with a distal endextending from the cover opening into the interior space, and a proximalend secured to or being part of the cover opening, the at least onedeployable member segregating the interior space into an inner clean andcontaminant free area adjacent to the sealed cover end and an outer areaadjacent to the cover opening. The distal end of the at least onedeployable member is movable from a first position within the interiorspace to a second position outside the cover opening. The packagingfurther includes means for securely retaining the medical glove on thedistal end of the at least one deployable member, wherein an exteriorportion of the medical glove is disposed within the inner clean andcontaminant free area in isolation from the outer area.

In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a packagingfor a medical glove, which includes:

a cover defining an interior space, the cover further including a sealedend and an opposing end having an opening in communication with theinterior space;

at least one deployable member with a distal end extending from thecover opening into the interior space, and a proximal end secured to orbeing part of the cover opening, the at least one deployable membersegregating the interior space into an inner clean and contaminant freearea adjacent to the sealed cover end and an outer area adjacent to thecover opening;

the distal end of the at least one deployable member being movable froma first position within the interior space to a second position outsidethe cover opening; and

means for securely retaining the medical glove on the distal end of theat least one deployable member, wherein an exterior portion of themedical glove is disposed within the inner clean and contaminant freearea in isolation from the outer area.

In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided apackaging for a medical glove, which includes:

a cover includes first and second opposed layers, the first and secondlayers defining an interior space;

the cover further including a sealed end and an opposing end having anopening in communication with the interior space;

a first panel with a distal end extending from the first layer at thecover opening into the interior space, and a proximal end secured to orbeing part of the cover opening, the distal end of the first panel beingmovable from a first position within the interior space to a secondposition outside the cover opening;

a second panel with a distal end extending from the second layer at thecover opening into the interior space, and a proximal end secured to orbeing part of the cover opening, the distal end of the second panelbeing movable from a first position within the interior space to asecond position outside the cover opening;

the first and second panels, in combination, segregating the interiorspace into an inner clean and contaminant free area adjacent to thesealed cover end and an outer area adjacent to the cover opening; and

means for securely retaining the medical glove on the distal ends of thefirst and second panels, wherein an exterior portion of the medicalglove is disposed within the inner clean and contaminant free area inisolation from the outer area.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a methodfor donning a medical glove, which includes the steps of:

(a) acquiring a medical glove contained in a packaging comprising:

-   -   a cover defining an interior space, the cover further including        a sealed end and an opposing end having an opening in        communication with the interior space;    -   at least one deployable member with a distal end extending from        the cover opening into the interior space, and a proximal end        secured to or being part of the cover opening, the at least one        deployable member segregating the interior space into an inner        clean and contaminant free area adjacent to the sealed cover end        and an outer area adjacent to the cover opening;    -   the distal end of the at least one deployable member being        movable from a first position within the interior space to a        second position outside the cover opening; and    -   means for securely retaining the medical glove on the distal end        of the at least one deployable member, wherein an exterior        portion of the medical glove is disposed within the inner clean        and contaminant free area in isolation from the outer area.

(b) inserting user's hand into the outer area through the cover opening;

(c) placing the hand into the medical glove until the hand is fullyseated therein; and

(d) withdrawing the gloved hand from the clean area as the at least onedeployable member is pulled out through the cover opening with thegloved hand.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings are illustrative of embodiments of the inventionand are not intended to limit the invention as encompassed by the claimsforming part of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a packaging blank for constructing apackaging of a medical glove for one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the packaging blank with adhesive strips ina partially folded configuration in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the packaging blank with a medical glovepositioned for packaging in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of a packaging for a medical glove for oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the packaging and medical glovetaken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4 in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the packaging with a user's hand partiallyinserted therein for donning the medical glove in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the packaging with the user's hand in theprocess of donning and within the medical glove in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a hook mounted on a wall in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the packaging fastened to the hook withthe user's gloved hand therein in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an elevational view of the packaging fastened to the hook asthe user's gloved hand withdraws therefrom in accordance with thepresent invention; and

FIG. 11 is an elevational view of the packaging as the user's glovedhand is completely withdrawn therefrom in accordance with the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a packaging for a medical glove andmethods of making and using the same. The packaging of the presentinvention is specifically designed to prevent contamination of theexterior portion of the medical glove during donning of the packagedmedical glove. Thus the present packaging facilitates donning of themedical glove without touching and contaminating the outside of themedical glove. In this manner, the risk of passing any potentialcontaminants to a subject or patient is at least substantially minimizedor eliminated.

The packaging of the present invention is further designed to permit auser to don the medical glove without outside assistance. The packagingof the present invention can be used in any environment or setting wherecontamination by undesirable or potentially dangerous agents must beavoided, especially in hospital or healthcare settings. In the hospitalor healthcare setting, the use of the packaging of the present inventionwill save numbers of lives and substantially reduce costs associatedwith healthcare acquired infections (HAI). The packaging of the presentinvention is relatively simple and cost effective to make and implement.

The packaging of the present invention generally includes a coverdefining an interior space, where the cover further includes a sealedend and an opposing end having an opening in communication with theinterior space, and at least one deployable member with a distal endextending from the cover opening into the interior space, and a proximalend secured to or being part of the cover opening, the at least onedeployable member segregating the interior space into an inner clean andcontaminant free area adjacent to the sealed cover end and an outer areaadjacent to the cover opening. The distal end of the at least onedeployable member is movable from a first position within the interiorspace to a second position outside the cover opening. The packagingfurther includes means for securely retaining the medical glove on thedistal end of the at least one deployable member, wherein an exteriorportion of the medical glove is disposed within the inner clean andcontaminant free area in isolation from the outer area.

The term “medical glove” is intended to refer to a glove used duringmedical examinations, surgeries and procedures that help preventcontamination between caregivers (e.g., professional healthcareprovider, nurses, doctors, and aides) and patients. The medical glove istypically disposable and made of different polymers including, but notlimited to, latex, nitrile rubber, vinyl, polyethylene, polypropylene,neoprene and the like. Medical gloves may be powdered with a lubricant(e.g., cornstarch, talc) or unpowdered.

The present packaging for a medical glove is designed to eliminate orsubstantially minimize the probability of contamination of an exteriorportion of the medical glove during its donning and subsequent removaltherefrom. By maintaining the exterior portion of the medical glove in aclean, uncontaminated state, the risks of passing contaminants fromcaretaker to patient is greatly reduced or eliminated.

With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a packaging blank or sheet,identified generally by reference numeral 10, configured forconstructing a medical glove packaging 50 (see FIGS. 4 through 11) inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Although thepresent invention is described in context of packaging a medical glove,it will understood that the present packaging is suitable for packagingany type or form of glove where it is desirable to maintain the exteriorof the packaged glove in a clean, uncontaminated state relative to theambient environment such as in a research laboratory setting, a cleanroom setting, in a manufacturing setting (e.g., semiconductor devices),or the like, especially during donning of the glove by the user. Thus,the term “glove” is intended to encompass any garment or article fittedfor covering a user's hand, including, but not limited to, aeronauticgloves, medical gloves, food service gloves, laboratory gloves, and thelike.

The packaging blank 10 is composed of any sheet material suitable forproviding a physical barrier against passage of contaminants. The sheetmaterial can be selected from optically transmissive materials includingtransparent and translucent materials. Preferably, the sheet materialcan be selected from polymers, papers, metals, or combinations thereof.More preferably, the sheet material is a polymer including, but notlimited to, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyacrylonitrile, polystyrene,polyurethane, rayon, cellulose, celluloid, rayon, delrin, resins,rubber, nylon, and the like. In a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the sheet material is selected from cello polypropylene.

The packaging sheet 10 includes a pair of upper sections 12L and 12R, apair of lower sections 14L and 14R, a pair of panels 16L and 16R, abottom end or edge portion 40, a top end or edge portion 42, side edgeportions 44L and 44R. The upper sections 12L and 12R of the sheet 10 areformed by fold line 11 and panel alignment line 13. The lower sections14L and 14R of the sheet 10 are formed by the fold line 11, the panelalignment line 13 and fold line 15. The panels 16L and 16R are formed bythe fold line 15 and separated from one another along score or cut line17.

Optionally, a pair of single-sided adhesive reinforcing strips 24 areplaced at the base portion of the panels 16L and 16R proximate the foldline 15 to minimize any tearing or weakness at those points. The strips24 can be selected from suitable products such as SCOTCH® MAGIC™ GreenerTape marketed by 3M of St. Paul, Minn.

The panels 16L and 16R include corners 30 and 32, respectively, atopposing sides thereof. The panel alignment line 13 defines where thedistal end of the panels 16L and 16R, once folded along fold line 15,are aligned at the proper position as will be described hereinafter.

Referring to FIGS. 2 through 4, the packaging sheet 10 is shown atdifferent construction phases of the present packaging 50 for a medicalglove for one embodiment of the present invention. Construction of themedical glove packaging 50 is initiated by folding the panels 16L and16R onto the respective lower sections 14L and 14R of the sheet 10aligning the panel corners 30 and 32 with corresponding points 34 and 36located on the panel alignment line 13 (as shown in FIG. 2).

As shown in FIG. 2, once the panels 16L and 16R are folded onto thecorresponding lower sections 14L and 14R as described above,double-sided adhesive strips 18L and 18R are applied along correspondingtop distal edge portions 19L and 19R of the panels 16L and 16R. Adouble-sided adhesive strip 22 is applied along a top proximal edgeportion 21 extending proximately along the fold line 15. Preferably, theadhesive strips 18L, 18R and 22 include an acrylic adhesive supported ona polyester film earner. More preferably, the adhesive strips 18L, 18Rand 22 include different degrees of tack on each side with the highertack side applied to the sheet 10. The adhesive strips 18L and 18R and22 can be selected from suitable products such as 3M™ RemovableRepositionable Tape 9415PC marketed by 3M of St. Paul, Minn.

As shown in FIG. 3, a medical glove 20 is positioned on a top surface ofthe upper panel 12R with a lower portion 38 of the medical glove 20placed securely in contact with the adhesive strip 18R for secureretainment thereon. The opening 39 of the medical glove 20 is positionedproximate to the panel 16R of the sheet 10. A double-sided adhesivepatch 26 is affixed centrally on the top portion of the upper section 26proximate top end 42 of the sheet 10. The upper and lower sections 12L.and 14L and the panel 16L. are folded along fold line 11 in anoverlapping arrangement over corresponding upper and lower sections 12Rand 14R and panel 16R (see FIG. 4).

As shown in FIG. 4, the adhesive strip 18L adhesively contacts andretains the lower portion 38 of the medical glove 20 on the sideopposite from the adhesive strip 18R. The remaining portions of theadhesive strip 18L. overlays the adhesive strip 18R for adhesivelysealing and retaining engagement therebetween. The combination of theadhesive strips 18L. and 18R securely positions the medical glove 20 inposition within the folded sheet 10. The overlapping top edge portions42 and side edge portions 44L and 44R are permanently sealed to oneanother via seal lines 46 which may be produced by any suitable sealingmeans such as, for example, heat sealing, induction sealing, adhesivesealing, ultrasonic sealing, friction sealing, laser sealing, and thelike.

The overlapping adhesive strips 22 provide retaining engagementtherebetween and seal the interior of the sheet 10 from the ambient. Theportion of the sheet 10 through the center of the adhesive patch 26 toform an aperture 30 which is sealed off from the interior of the sheet10 as will be further described hereinafter. The resulting medical glovepackaging 50 is constructed to securely seal the medical glove 20 fromthe ambient and prevent entry of any outside contaminants (e.g.,bacteria, viruses, spores, and parasites) during storage and transport.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the medical glove packaging 50 includesthe packaging sheet 10 defining an interior space 52, a sealed end 54,and an opposing end 56 having an opening 58 in communication with theinterior space 52. The medical glove packaging 50 further includes theopposed panels 16L and 16R each having a distal end 60, which aredeployable through the packaging opening 58 as will be describedhereinafter. The adhesive strips 22 located on the proximal ends of thepanels 16L and 16R, respectively, are adhesively engaged to one anotherto maintain the packaging opening 58 in a closed and sealed state fromambient environment during storage and transport.

The proximal ends 66 of the panels 16L and 16R are connected to thesheet 10 to form a hinge 68 (as shown best in FIG. 5). In the presentembodiment, the panels 16L and 16R are in the form of flaps. The distalends 60 of the opposed panels 16L and 16R are configured to move from apackaged position within the interior space 52 to an unpackaged positionoutside the cover opening 58 as will be further described hereinafter.

In the packaged position, the opposed panels 16L and 16R separates theinterior space 52 into an inner clean and contaminant free area 62located adjacent to the sealed end 54 and an outer area 64 locatedadjacent to the opening 58. The adhesive strips 18L and 18R, disposed atthe respective distal ends 60 of the opposed panels 16L and 16R,securely retain the medical glove 20 in the inner clean and contaminantfree area 62 of the space 52, while the opening 39 of the medical glove20 is accessible through the outer area 64 of the space 52. Duringdonning of the medical glove 20, the outer area 64 becomes contaminatedby the presence of the user's hand.

The adhesive strips 18L and 18R seal the distal ends 60 of the panels16L and 16R together to isolate the outer area 64 from the inner cleanand contaminant free area 62 and to prevent passage of contaminants intothe inner clean and contaminant free area 62. Preferably, thecombination of adhesive strips 18L and 18R adhesively contact themedical glove 20 around its lower portion 38 proximate the glove opening39.

The packaging 50 further includes a fastening component 28 (see FIGS. 5and 6) defining an aperture 30 disposed on the sheet 10 for fastening toa fixed structure or workpiece (not shown). In a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, the fastening component 28 is located proximatethe sealed end 54 of the packaging 50. The fastening component 28 isformed by the inside surfaces of the upper sections 12L and 12Radhesively affixed to one another by adhesive patch 26, with theaperture 30 disposed therein to create a structure in the form of aring. The fastening component 28 facilitates removal of the donnedmedical glove 20 from the packaging 50 as will be described hereinafter.

With reference to FIGS. 6 through 11, a process for donning a medicalglove contained in the medical glove packaging 50 will be shown anddescribed. As shown in FIG. 6, the opening 58 is pulled apart toseparate the adhesive strips 22 to allow a user's hand 70 to be insertedinto the outer area 64 between the panels 16L and 16R. As shown in FIG.7, the user's hand is inserted into the medical glove 20 through theglove opening 39. The user can hold the wristband of the medical glovewith his other hand through the sheet 10 until the user's hand is fullyseated therein. During donning of the medical glove 20, the adhesivestrips 18L and 18R remain intact to maintain the isolation of theexterior portion of the medical glove 20 within the inner clean andcontaminant free area 62 from the outer area 64 (now contaminated by theuser's hand).

Optionally, with the gloved hand 70 still in the package 50, the usercan obtain a second medical glove packaging 50 to glove the user's otherhand and follow the same steps as outlined above for the user's firsthand 70. The user can use the gloved hand 70 while still in itspackaging 50 through the sheet 10 to assist the donning of the glove 20on the user's other hand.

As shown in FIG. 9, the user's hand 70 is fully seated in the medicalglove 20 within the inner clean and contaminant free area 62. In thenext step, the user is ready to remove the gloved hand 70 from thepackaging 50 with the exterior portion of the medical glove 20maintained in a clean, uncontaminated state. The user affixes thepackaging 50 to a hook 72 mounted on a fixed structure such as a wall 74(see FIG. 8) via the fastening component 28. Once affixed, the user canwithdraw the gloved hand 70 from the packaging 50. It will be understoodthat two hooks 72 positioned spaced apart from one another can beassembled to permit a user to remove both of the user's gloved handsfrom the corresponding packagings 50 at the same time.

As shown in FIG. 10, the gloved hand 70 begins to be withdrawn in thedirection of arrow 76 within the packaging 50. As the distal ends 60 ofthe panels 16L and 16R firmly attached to the medical glove 20 move withthe user's gloved hand 70 towards the packaging opening 58, the panels16L and 16R move with the glove 20 keeping the exterior portion of theglove 20 isolated from the outer area 64. Thus, the panels 16L and 16Rprevent contact between the contaminated surfaces of the outer area 64and the exterior portion of the medical glove 20, as the gloved hand 70is being withdrawn through the packaging opening 58.

The clean, uncontaminated sides of the panels 16L and 16R of the innerclean and contaminant free area 62 remain in continuous contact with themedical glove 20 as the panels 16L and 16R flip out from the interiorspace 52 of the packaging 50. In this manner, the outer portion of themedical glove 20 is preserved in its clean, uncontaminated state as itis drawn through the packaging opening 58. The process is complete whenthe medical glove 20 is drawn out of the packaging 50 with the panels16L and 16R fully deployed as shown in FIG. 11.

The forgoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplaryembodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the art willreadily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanyingclaims, that various changes, modifications, and variations can be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined in the following claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A packaging for a medical glove, comprising: a coverdefining an interior space, said cover further including a sealed endand an opposing end having an opening in communication with saidinterior space; at least one deployable member with a distal endextending from the cover opening into said interior space, and aproximal end secured to or being part of the cover opening, said atleast one deployable member segregating the interior space into an innerclean and contaminant free area adjacent to the sealed cover end and anouter area adjacent to the cover opening; said distal end of the atleast one deployable member being movable from a first position withinthe interior space to a second position outside the cover opening; andmeans for securely retaining the medical glove on the distal end of saidat least one deployable member, wherein an exterior portion of themedical glove is disposed within the inner clean and contaminant freearea in isolation from the outer area.
 2. The packaging of claim 1,wherein said retaining means is configured for retaining a portion ofsaid medical glove proximate its opening.
 3. The packaging of claim 1,wherein an opening of the medical glove is in communication with theouter area.
 4. The packaging of claim 1, wherein the cover is composedof an optically transmissive material.
 5. packaging of claim 4, whereinthe optically transmissive material is transparent.
 6. The packaging ofclaim 1, wherein the cover is composed of a sheet material.
 7. Thepackaging of claim 6, wherein the sheet material is selected from thegroup consisting of polymers, papers, metals, and combinations thereof.8. The packaging of claim 7, wherein the polymer is cello polypropylene.9. The packaging of claim 1, further comprising means for sealing thecover opening from ambient environment.
 10. The packaging of claim 9,wherein the sealing means is an adhesive.
 11. The packaging of claim 1,wherein the retaining means comprises an adhesive strip disposedproximate the distal end of said at least one deployable member.
 12. Thepackaging of claim 1, wherein: said cover includes first and secondopposed layers; said at least one deployable member includes a firstpanel extending from the first layer, and a second panel extending fromthe second layer; and said retaining means includes a first adhesivestrip disposed proximate the distal end of the first panel, and a secondadhesive strip disposed proximate the distal end of the second panel,the combination of the first and second adhesive strips are in adhesivecontact with opposing outer portions of said medical glove proximate itsopening.
 13. The packaging of claim 12, wherein the first and secondpanels each include a flap having one end attached to or being anextension of the respective first and second layers, with theintersection therebetween being in the form of a hinge.
 14. Thepackaging of claim 1, further comprising means located on said cover forfastening said cover to a fixed structure.
 15. The packaging of claim14, wherein the fastening means is disposed on the cover at an endopposite from the cover opening.
 16. The packaging of claim 15, whereinthe fastening means is a ring.
 17. A packaging for a medical glove,comprising: a cover includes first and second opposed layers, the firstand second layers defining an interior space; said cover furtherincluding a sealed end and an opposing end having an opening incommunication with said interior space; a first panel with a distal endextending from the first layer at the cover opening into said interiorspace, and a proximal end secured to or being part of the cover opening,said distal end of the first panel being movable from a first positionwithin the interior space to a second position outside the coveropening; a second panel with a distal end extending from the secondlayer at the cover opening into said interior space, and a proximal endsecured to or being part of the cover opening, said distal end of thesecond panel being movable from a first position within the interiorspace to a second position outside the cover opening; said first andsecond panels, in combination, segregating the interior space into aninner clean and contaminant free area adjacent to the sealed cover endand an outer area adjacent to the cover opening; and means for securelyretaining the medical glove on the distal ends of said first and secondpanels, wherein an exterior portion of the medical glove is disposedwithin the inner clean and contaminant free area in isolation from theouter area.
 18. The packaging of claim 17, wherein said retaining meansis configured for retaining a portion of said medical glove closelyproximate its opening.
 19. The packaging of claim 17, wherein the firstand second panels each include a flap having one end attached to orbeing an extension of the respective first and second layers with theintersection therebetween being in the form of a hinge.
 20. Thepackaging of claim 17, wherein the retaining means comprises: a firstadhesive strip disposed proximate the distal end of the first panel; asecond adhesive strip disposed proximate the distal end of the secondpanel; and the combination of the first and second adhesive strips beingin adhesive contact with opposing sides of a portion of said medicalglove closely proximate its opening.
 21. The packaging of claim 17,wherein an opening of the medical glove is in communication with theouter area.
 22. The packaging of claim 17, wherein the cover is composedof an optically transmissive material.
 23. The packaging of claim 22,wherein the optically transmissive material is transparent.
 24. Thepackaging of claim 17, wherein the cover is composed of a sheetmaterial.
 25. The packaging of claim 24, wherein the sheet material isselected from the group consisting of polymers, papers, metals, andcombinations thereof.
 26. The packaging of claim 25, wherein the polymeris cello polypropylene.
 27. The packaging of claim 17, furthercomprising means for sealing the cover opening from ambient environment.28. The packaging of claim 27, wherein the sealing means is an adhesive.29. The packaging of claim 17, further comprising means located on saidcover for fastening said cover to a fixed structure.
 30. The packagingof claim 29, wherein the fastening means is disposed on the cover at anend opposite from the cover opening.
 31. The packaging of claim 30,wherein the fastening means is a ring.
 32. A method for donning amedical glove, comprising the steps of: (a) acquiring a medical glovecontained in a packaging comprising: a cover defining an interior space,said cover further including a sealed end and an opposing end having anopening in communication with said interior space; at least onedeployable member with a distal end extending from the cover openinginto said interior space, and a proximal end secured to or being part ofthe cover opening, said at least one deployable member segregating theinterior space into an inner clean and contaminant free area adjacent tothe sealed cover end and an outer area adjacent to the cover opening;said distal end of the at least one deployable member being movable froma first position within the interior space to a second position outsidethe cover opening; and means for securely retaining the medical glove onthe distal end of said at least one deployable member, wherein anexterior portion of the medical glove is disposed within the inner cleanand contaminant free area in isolation from the outer area. (b)inserting a user's hand into the outer area through the cover opening;(c) placing said hand into the medical glove until said hand is fullyseated therein; and (d) withdrawing the gloved hand from the clean areaas the at least one deployable member is pulled out through the coveropening with the gloved hand.
 33. The method of claim 32, prior to step(d), further comprising: repeating steps (a) through (c) for the user'sother hand with the user using the user's originally gloved hand whilestill within said cover to assist in seating the user's other hand inthe corresponding medical glove contained in its packaging; andimplementing step (d) for removing both gloved hands from theirassociated packaging.
 34. The method of claim 32, during the step ofplacing one hand of the user into the medical glove, further comprisingthe step of said user grasping the portion of the medical gloveproximate the opening thereof with the user's other hand through saidcover.
 35. The method of claim 32, wherein the packaging furthercomprises means located on said cover for fastening said cover to afixed structure.
 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the fastening meansis disposed on the cover at an end opposite from the cover opening. 37.The method of claim 36, wherein the fastening means is a ring.
 38. Themethod of claim 37, prior to the withdrawing step, further comprisingthe step of engaging a fixed hook through the ring to immobilize thecover of the packaging to permit easy withdrawal of user's gloved handtherefrom.